Plant Development Services Announces New Liner Distribution Networks

January 13, 2012 - 18:10

Plant Development Services has announced that, beginning in Spring 2012, Encore Azalea and the Southern Living Plant Collection will begin to allow growers outside the licensed grower groups for the brands to purchase liners and finish these varieties for sale.

Plant Development Services has announced that, beginning this Spring, Encore Azalea and the Southern Living Plant Collection will begin to allow growers outside the licensed grower groups for the brands to purchase liners and finish these varieties for sale.

Plant Development Service’s director Kip McConnell says the new liner distribution networks will allow for more Encore Azaleas and Southern Living Plant Collection varieties at retail, helping reinforce brand presence in the marketplace.

Only members of the licensed grower groups will be allowed to propagate. The new out-of-network growers will pay the program fee, and purchase tags and containers, at the time of liner purchase.

To ensure consistent quality as the number of growers increases, Plant Development Services have contracted with Plant Watch, a Michigan-based company charged with detecting possible violations of plant patents and trademark program rules.

This fall, nurseries across the country began to be visited by Plant Watch representatives. Plant Watch will check to make sure growers are meeting the requirements of the branded programs.